Program selector for radio sets



Dab 1935- 1.; PASCIUTTI ETAL PROGRAM SELECTOR FOR RADIO SETS Filed April 9, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet l W k 5 2 Q a I.. s a u N 5 R m 0 n r n a M m Dec; 17, 1935;

Filed April 9, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Dec. 17, 1935.

LjPASCIUTTI ET Ah.

PROGRAM SELECTOR FOR RADIO SETS Q%M $.58 NR xv m 1% Filed April 9, 1934 INVENTORS LOUIS Pasciu'fh BY Morin ATTORNEY ROGRAM SELECTOR FOR RADIO SETS r Q W d r 6 P l L H F. M9 w 7 Q I 7 a 7 z a mu M 5 V 7 mm a v Y M 9 UMU d 7 nu ul Wu 0 MW/M Q h a a 7 E r. 2 M M M m Patented Dec. 17, 1935 UNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE Louis Pasciutti, Astoria, and Marine Sussi, New York, N. Y.

Application April 9, 1934, Serial No. 719,654

12 Claims.

This invention relates to radio program selecting devices and has for one of its objects the provision of a device of this character which when once set will automatically select the same radio program from day to day or until the device is reset.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which comprises a multiolicity of radio-station selector switches electrically connected to an electrically operated clock which controls the timing of the radio programs, and station selector switch setting device for setting the said switch so that they may be operatively connected to the electric clock at predetermined intervals of time.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character referred to which will automatically cease to operate at a predetermined hour or fraction tiereof.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide means for automatically tuning the radio set to a predetermined station at such intervals of times as determined by the clock controlled station selector switches.

Another object is to produce a device of the character described in which the maximum simplicity of construction and operation is secured.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the nature of the improvements is better under- 30 stood, the invention consisting substantially in the novel arrangem nt and co-relation of parts herein fully described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters are used to describe corresponding 35 parts throughout the several views, and then finally pointed out and specifically defined and indicated in the appended claims.

The disclosure made the basis of exemplifying the present inventive concept suggests a practical embodiment thereof, but the invention is not to be restricted to the exact details of this disclosure, and the latter, therefore, is to be understood from an illustrative, rather than a recive standpoint.

The inventive idea involved is capable of receiving a variety of mechanical expressions, one of which, for the purpose of illustration, is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a front view of the station selector mechanism electric clock, some of the parts being broken away for the sake of clearness.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on 'line 3-3 Fig.

2, showing but a single bank of selector switches, the others being omitted.

Fig. i is a rear view of the motor mechanism for synchronizing the device with the radio set and also showing the electric switches which con- 5 trol the operation of same for selecting the desired radio station.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view thereof taken on line 55 Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a front view thereof looking from the 10 left of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a selector switch block showing the electric terminals thereon.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view thereof taken on line 8% Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is an end view of the motor controlling switch cams.

i0 is a side view thereof, and

Fig. 11 is a fragmental diagrammatic view of the electric wiring. 20

Referring now to the drawings in detail 20 indicates a framework which is preferably fitted into the radio receiving set cabinet behind the panel board thereof and centrally located with res ect to the tuning dial shaft S which is, as is 25 well known suitably connected to the variable condensers of the said radio receiving set.

The said framework comprises a front centrally perforated and serrated wall 2! and a similar rear wall 22, each wall preferably containing 43 equidistantly spaced radial slots or serrations 23, the slots in one wall being in exact alinement with the slots in the other wall.

Located between the said walls 2! and 22 are forty eight station selector switch blocks 24 each comprising an insulating base 25 a metal yoke or strap 26 terminating in end portions or ears 2? bent at right angles to the base thereof. Passing through the said ears 2? is a shaft or rod 28 the ends of which are threaded and fit into the complementary slots 23 of the oppositely disposed walls 2i and 22 and are secured in place by means of nuts 3; The rearwardly extending portion of the said shafts also pass through holes in a rear closure Wall 3i Each shaft has mounted thereon a plurality, in the present instance seven switches or levers, 32, 33, 34, 35, 3t, 37 and 538 respectively. The lever 32 cooperates with a pair of electric on and off switch terminals 32a and 3219 respectively, and the levers 33 to 38 50 cooperate with single terminals indicated respectively at 33a, 34a, 35a, 36a, Sid, and 38a. Each of the levers is provided with a central arm or prong 46 which is at all times in contact with a plate 4| mounted on a pair of pins 42 which 65 pass loosely through the base 25 and yoke 26 and which pins are provided with springs 53 which press the plate 5! against the prongs 40 and thus tension all of the switch arms. All of the forty eight terminals 32a are electrically connected together by a wire 32c and the terminals 321) are similarly connected by a wire 32d and the terminals 33a to 380; are similarly connected by bus bars 33b, 35b, 35b, 3617, 3'52) and 381) respectively.

The levers 33 to 38 are what may be termed radio station selector switches each lever controlling a particular station.- In the normal inoperative position these switches assume the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, that is they are out of contact with their respective terminals 33a. to 38a. To bring the said switches into electrical contact with, their respective terminals a switch setting device or station selector 4!] is employed. The said selector comprises a disc El secured to a tubular shaft 52 which preferably encircles the shaft S and is supported in the rear closure wall 3!. Secured to the disc l are seven evenly spaced radially extending shells or housings $3 which are preferably U shaped in cross section and in each of which there is slidingly mounted a T shaped plunger as indicated at 4 3, 45, i6,

d7, d3, 49 and 50, Figs. 2 and 3. Each of the said plungers is provided with switch setting means which operate to throw the said switches when the said plungers are moved radially outward. The said means comprises plates 5|, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 and 57, on one side of the said plungers the said plates being provided respectively with setting fingers 58, 59, $3, 61, 62, 63 and 6A and plates 65, 66, El, 88, 69, i0 and 'ii provided respectively with resetting fingers i2, 13, it, 15, #6, ii and 78, which reset any of the switches 32 to 3? set at some previous time as 7 only one such lever on any shaft should be set at one time.

Each of the housings or shells 53 is provided with a pair of ears 8i! between which there is mounted a roller or pulley 8! on a pin 82. Wires or cables 83 pass over the said rollers 85 and are respectively secured to the bottom ends of the plungers 4 to at one end and are secured at their opposite ends to shafts or rods 84, slidingly supported at one end in the disc ii and at their opposite ends in tubes 85 which are in turn secured in a large disc 86 and a smaller disc or dial 8?. A knob 88 is secured to each of the shafts 84. To move a setting finger radially outwardly, the knob 83 associated with the said finger is pulled up or outwardly to the right of Fig. 2, thus drawing its shaft 8% therewith and causing its plunger to move outwardly against the tension of a spring 89. The plate 8% which is secured to the tube 32 rides on rollers 99 suitably supported on the front wall 28.

The present device is constructed to take care of or automatically tune in six stations for a period of twelve hours divided into quarterhour periods. The timing may be so arranged that the programs of one station may be tuned in for the entire period or the stations may be changed at each quarter of an hour or at any desired number of quarter hours.

For the sake of description let us assign the letters A, B, C, D, E and F to the stations we desire to listen to and assign the forty eight levers 33 to control station A, and the levers 3G, 35, 36, 31 and 38 for the stations B, C, D, E and F respectively. If we now desire to listen to a six hour program, commencing at 6 P. M. one hour from station A, two hours from station C, one

quarter of an hour from station F, two hours from station A, and a quarter hour from each of the stations B, D and E and then automatically stop the radio receiving set, the device is set in the following manner. tated until the pin 95 in the plunger 45 is in alinement with the slot 23 marked 6 oclock the knob 38 associated with the said plunger is then drawn out until the finger 59 contacts with the lever 33 throwing same into contact with the terminal 330., the selector is then consecutively rotated in clockwise direction to the next three positions where the setting operation is repeated. The pin 95 in plunger ll is then brought into alinement with the slot marked 7 oclock, the 15 knob 58 pulled out and the lever 35 is set, this operation is then repeated in the next seven positions in clockwise direction. The selector is then rotated until the pin 95 in plunger is in alinement with the slot marked 9:15 and the 2 lever 38 is set. The levers 33 in the next eight positions in clockwise direction are then set by the plunger 55 and its finger 59, following which the plungers 66, i8, and 39 are brought respec-.

tively to the next three slots in the order named and the levers 3 5, 36 and 31 set to contact with their respective terminals 34a, 36a and 37a. It will be understood that with the setting of the first lever 33, the on and off lever or switch 32,.

will also be set to contact with the one terminalg 2a by the high portion or finger i3 on the plate t6. By referring to Fig. 2 it will be seen that wherever there is a high part or finger on the setting plates, 52 to 57, there is a correspondingly low part or cut out portion on the complementary resetting plate and vice versa, so that no matter which one of the setting plates is first brought into contact with its corresponding lever the high portion on the resetting plate will throw the on and off switch into engagement with its on ter-' 4 minal 32a. To bring back the device to normal inoperative position the plunger it is operated at every position where a selector switch or lever has been previously set and reverse the said levers including the on and oil lever or switch.

It is to be understood that instead of a six hour program a program of lesser or greater duration up to twelve hours may be set up with our device.

The timing or duration of any broadcast from 5 any given station is controlled by the number of station selecting switches set and by an electrically operated clock lflt (see Fig. 11) whose hour hand IBI is provided with a spring contact plate- I02 which is adapted tomake contact with terminals I03, forty eight in number each one electrically connected to a corresponding or complementary switch shaft 28. In other words the terminal 33 corresponding to 6 oclock is connected by a wire ili to the shaft 28 similarlyg marked, the terminal its corresponding to 5 oclock is connected by a similar wire Hi l to its correspondingly marked shaft 28 on the station selector switch mechanism and so on all around the clock.

. In order that the device may only work for a duration of twelve hours, there is amxed to the electric clock hour shaft H35 (see Fig. 11) a pinion H16 which is in mesh with a second pinion H31 having twice the number of teeth as the pinion Hit, the said second pinion being mounted on a stud ill! which carries a cam I68 extending over an arc of one hundred and eighty degrees. The said cam being in contact with a switch lever,

69 to keep same in contact with a bar H0 and The selector M] is rokeep the electric circuit closed for one entire revolution of the hour shaft which is equivalent to twelve hours. At the end of the said time the high part of the cam I08 will be out of contact with the lever I09 which will then swing downwardly on its pivot III and rest upon a pin H2. The minute hand M of the clock I is provided with a resilient contact plate I I3 which is adapted to make contact every fifteen minutes with one of a series of four contact points H4. The switch lever I09 is electrically connected to a transformer H5 by means of a ground wire II1 connected to one end of a terminal H8 and from the opposite end of the said terminal by a wire II9 to the said transformer II5.

In order that the timing of the device be properly and automatically controlled and the program received at the highest efficiency possible there is provided time control device shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6, 8 and 11. The said time control device comprises a reversible motor I20 which is connected by a train of gears I2I to a shaft I22 which is coupled by means of a coupler I23 to the radio tuning shaft S, which is in operative connection with the radio variable condenser shaft by means of a belt and pulley arrangement I24. Mounted on the shaft I22 are six cams I25, I26, I21, I28, I29 and I30 each provided with a high part I3I, a low part I32, angular connecting portions I 33 and I34 and a flange I35 having a cutout portion I36. The said cams are frictionally secured to the said shaft I22 and are adapted to normally rotate therewith. Coacting with the said cams I25 to I 23, are six resilient switch blades I31, I38, I39, I40, MI and I42 all identical in construction and secured to an insulating block I43, which is in turn secured to the walls I44 and I45 in which the shaft I 22 is journalled. Each of the said switches is provided with a stud or projection I46 which cooperates with the cam surfaces I3I, I32, I33 and I34 to throw their respective switches into contact with either the terminals I41 on a plate I48 or with terminals I49 on a plate I50 or maintain them out of contact with either of the said terminals. The high portions of the cam engage the switches with the terminals I41, the low portions with the terminals I49 and the angular portions maintain the switches in neutral position between the said terminals.

The switches I31, I38, I39, I40, MI, and I42 are connected respectively by wires I5I, I52, I53, I54, I55 and I56 to one end of separate terminal plates I51, I58, I59, I60, I6I and I62 and from the opposite ends of the said terminals by wires I62, I63, I64, I65, I66 and I61 to the bus bars 33b, 34b, 35b, 36b, 31b and 386 respectively which bus bars are respectively connected to the selector switch lever terminals 33a, 34a, 35a, 36a, 31a and 3%. Current is supplied to the plate I48 by any of its respective switches I 31 to I42, and is electrically connected to a terminal of the motor I20 by a wire I68. The plate I 50 is similarly supplied with electric current and is electrically connected to an opposite terminal of the motor by a wire I69. A wire I 69a connects a third terminal of the motor to the transformer H5. The on terminals 32a of the on and off levers 32 are electrically connected to a magnetic coil I by means of a wire I1I leading to one end of a terminal bar I12 and by a second wire I13 from the other end of the said bar leading directly to the wire 320 which connects all of the terminals 32a. The off terminals of the said on and off levers 32 are electrically connected to a second magnetic coil I14 by a wire H5 connected to one end of a terminal bar I10 from the other end of which a wire I11 leads and is connected to the wire 32d which connects all of the 32b or off terminals of the levers 32.

Current is supplied to the transformer I I5 from the source of supply I89 by wires I8! and I82 forming respectively the positive and negative side of the circuit. What might be termed a time control switch I83 is interposed on the positive 10 lead I 8| which also leads to the radio receiving set transformer. The radio receiving set switch IE4 is interposed on the negative side or lead I 82, one terminal of said switch being connected to a ground wire I85. When any one of the levers 32 is in contact with its terminal 32a, the magnet I10 becomes energized and its core I100. draws the armature I86 to the right to close a switch comprising legs or arms I81 and I88 to complete the radio receiving set circuit irrespective of the switch I84. When the said levers 32 are reset to the off position, the magnet I14 is energized and the contact between the circuit is broken.

To bring the timing device into proper synchronism with radio receiving set, the cams I to I have to be set in a certain definite position. According to the drawings, cam I25 controls radio station A, cam I26, station B, cam I21, station C, cam I26, station D, cam I 29, station E and cam I39, station F. To set the cam I31 to synchronize with station A, the shaft I22 is rotated and the spring pressed button I 90 is pressed inwardly until the cutout i comes into alinement therewith, the end I9I will enter the said cutout and prevent further rotation of the said cam, the shaft, however, is further rotated until radio station A comes in the loudest and clearest at which time the button is released. This operation is repeated until each cam is set. It will be understood that when any cam is in its adjusted position, the stud 4.0 I46 on the respective switch will be in contact with an angular portion of the cam so as to throw the said switch out of contact with either of its electrical contacts.

If the device is set to receive the programs from the stations as before outlined and the cam shaft E22 has been disturbed, thus throwing the switch blade into contact with either of its terminals I41 or I49, then the electric circuit will be closed through the connections I5I, I51, I62, 33b, the six oclock shaft 23, its wire I04, contact I03 through the hour and minute hands IOI and M respectively, switch I69 and III), wire II1, termlnal H8, wire II 9, through the transformer H5 and into the motor I20 to revolve same and bring the said cam into synchronized position to break the said circuit. The switch I81 and I38 also being closed to operate the radio receiving set. The above position of the shaft and cams will remain the same for a period of one hour after which the motor I20 will be again operated but in a reverse direction by the switch I39 and its connections, and the program from station C will be heard for a period of two hours, the motor being operated at the stated intervals each time in reverse direction until the program from all of the selected stations has been completed after which the program will cease as no further selector switches are set and the shaft 28 corresponding with 12 oclock has its lever 32 in the 70 off position, thus breaking the circuit.

From the foregoing it will be seen that we have provided an efficient radio program selecting device which will operate automatically to bring in the programs of any desired radio stations at 75 given intervals, and continue to bring in the same stations indefinitely or until such time as the device is reset,

Having described our invention what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a radio program selecting device, comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart banks of electrically controlled radio station selecting switches, a selector comprising a rotatably mounted support, a plurality of slidably mounted plungers secured to said support, one for each switch in a bank, switch setting fingers carried by each of said plungers, means for rotating said support to bring the setting fingers in alinement with the switches intended to beset, means for sliding said plungers to bring the fingers into contact with their respective switches to throw same into efiective electrically controlled position, means for returning said plungers to normal position, a clock, means on the said clock for electrically connectting one of the clock hands to each bank of station selecting switches, means for electrically connecting the other clock hand to a source of electric supply, and electrically operated tuning means adapted to be brought into synchronism with the radio receiving set to control the timing and operation of the device.

2. In combination, a radio program selecting device, comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart banks of electrically controlled radio station selecting switches, a selector comprising a rotatably mounted support, a plurality oi slidably mounted plungers secured to said support, one for each switch in a bank, switch setting fingers carried by each of said plungers, means for rotat ng said support to bring the setting fingers in alinement with the switches intended to be set, means for sliding said plungers to bring the fingers into contact with their respective switches to throw same into eiiective electrically controlled position, means for returning said plungers to normal position, a clock, means on the said clock for electrically connecting one of the clock hands to each bank of station selecting switches, means for electrically connecting the other clock hand to a source of electric supply, means operated by the clock for controlling the effective duration of such electric connection, and electrically operated tuning means adapted to be brought into synchronism with the radio receiving set to control the timing and operation of the device.

3. In combination, a radio program selecting device, comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart banks of electrically controlled radio station selecting switches, a selector comprising a rotatably mounted support, a plural-' ity of slidably mounted plungers secured to said support for setting the said switches, a clock, means on the said clock for electrically connecting one of the clock hands to each bank of station selecting switches, means for electrically connecting the other clock hand to a source of electric supply, and electrically operated tuning means adapted to be brought into synchronism with the radio receiving set to control the timing 7 and operation of the device.

of the clock hands to each bank of station seon the said clock for electrically connecting one lecting switches, means for electrically connect- ,ing the other clock hand to a source of electric supply, means operated by the clock for controlling the efiective duration of such electric connection, and electrically operated tuning means adapted to be brought into synchronism with the radio receiving set to control the timing and operation of the device.

, 5. A station selector for radio" receiving sets tended to be set, means for sliding the said' plungers to bring the fingers into contact with their respective switches to throw same into effective electrically controlled position and means for returning said plungers to normal position.

6. A station selector for radio receiving sets comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart banks of electrically controlled radio station selecting switches, a selector comprising a rotatably mounted support, a plurality of slide ably mounted spring controlled plungers secured to the said support, one for each switch in a bank, switch setting fingers carried by each of the said plungers, means for rotating the support to bring the setting fingers in alinement with the switches intended to be set, means for sliding the said plungers to bring the fingers into contact with their respective switches to throw same into efiective electrically controlled position and means for returning said plungers to normal position.

'7. A station selector for radio receiving sets comprising a plurality of circumierentially spaced apart banks of electrically controlled radio station selecting switches, a selector comprising a rotatably'mounted support, a plurality of slidably mounted spring controlled plungers secured to the said support, one for each switch in a bank, switch setting fingers carried by each of the said plungers, means for rotating the support to bring the setting fingers in alinement with the switches intended to be set, means for sliding the said plungers to bring the fingers into contact with their respective switches to throw same into efiective electricallycontrolled position and station selecting switch resetting means carried by the said plungers for the purpose specified. I

8. A station selector for radio programs comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart shafts, a bank of electrically controlled station selecting switches on each shaft, a radio circuit controlled switch on each of the said shafts, a selector comprising a rotatably mounted support, a plurality of spring controlled plungers radially slidable on the said support there being a plunger for each station selecting switch,

' switch setting fingers on one side of the said plungers, switch resetting fingers on the opposite switch previously set and for setting the radio circuit control switch into effective electrical on position, means for rotating the support to bring side of the plungers to reset any selector the setting andresetting fingers in radial alinement with the switches, and means for radially sliding the said plungers to bring the fingers into operative contact with their respective switches to throw them into desired position.

9. In a device for selecting radio programs, a selector switch setting mechanism comprising a support, a housing on the support, a plunger slidably mounted in the housing, switch setting fingers carried by the plunger, a rcd slidably mounted on the support, a pulley, means passing over the pulley and secured to the plunger and slidable rod for imparting sliding movement to the plunger to bring the switch setting fingers into effective setting relation with the said switch when the rod is slid in a predetermined direction, and spring means to return the said plunger to normal position.

10. In a device for selecting radio programs, a selector switch setting mechanism comprising a support, a housing on the support, a plunger slidably mounted in the housing, switch setting means carried by the plunger, a pulley, a slidable ro'd secured to the support, means secured at one end to the plunger and at its opposite end to the rod and passing over the pulley, means on the rod for pulling same forwardly to draw the plunger and switch setting means radially outward of its housing and a spring to return the said plunger and switch setting means to normal position.

11. In a device for selecting radio programs, a selector switch setting mechanism comprising a rotatably mounted shaft, a support secured to the said shaft, a plurality of radially extending housings on the support, a spring controlled plunger in each of the housings, switch setting fingers carried by the plungers, a disc rotatably mounted on the shaft and spaced from the support, a dial plate secured to the shaft and spaced 5 from the disc, a plurality of tubes extending through the dial and disc the number of tubes being equal to the number of plungers, a rod slidingly mounted in each of the said tubes and support, a pulley on each of the housings, a flexible connection secured to each of the plungers and sliding rods and passing over the pulleys and a knob on each of the said rods for the purpose specified.

12. A station selector for radio receiving sets comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart banks of electrically controlled radio station selecting switches, a selector comprising a' rotatably mounted support, a plurality of slidably mounted spring controlled plungers secured to the said support, one for each switch in a bank, switch setting fingers carried by each of the said plungers, means for rotating the support to bring the setting fingers in alinement with the switches intended to be set, means for sliding the said plungers to bring the fingers into contact with their respective switches to throw same into efiective electrically controlled position and electrically operated tuning means for synchronizing the operation of the device with the radio receiving set.

LOUIS PASCIUTTI. MARINO SUSSI. 

